A crackdown on unsafe taxis at East Midlands Airport flagged up problems with almost 20 vehicles.

The joint initiative designed to improve the safety standards of taxis and licensed vehicles saw 138 inspections take place over the course of several hours earlier this month.

The licensing team at North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), Leicestershire Police and the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) organised the spot checks, with the 120 drivers passing with flying colours.

But 18 of the vehicles inspected did not reach the required standards.

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Four prohibitions were issued to taxi drivers for failing to have tyres that meet safety requirements.

Two drivers were reported for not having road tax, and another was given a fixed penalty notice for having a tyre tread below the legal limit.

Others were also warned about more minor defects such as broken bulbs.

Taxis being checked (Image: North West Leicestershire District Council)

During the initiative, carried out on Thursday September 7, a vehicle which was not a taxi was also flagged up on Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology and found to have no road tax, no insurance, no MOT, and defects including illegal tyre tread.

The driver also did not have a DVLA licence. The car was seized and the driver was reported.

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Councillor Alison Smith, NWLDC deputy leader, said: "This initiative highlights that the majority of taxi drivers in the district take care of their vehicles and ensure they meet high standards when it comes to safety.

"However, there are exceptions to this and it is very important to us and our partners that we identify those that don’t comply with the law and licensing requirements.

Inspections at EMA (Image: North West Leicestershire District Council)

"Public safety is our absolute priority and we hope this operation has helped spread this message among drivers of licensed vehicles."

Inspector Ivan Odell from Leicestershire Police said: "Once again this was a highly successful operation and demonstrates the value of partner agencies working collaboratively and effectively to improve the safety of the travelling public.

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"The vast majority of taxis and licensed vehicles were being operated safely and legally but this operation will be repeated and should serve as warning to those who choose continue to operate outside the law."

Bill Harrison, DVSA enforcement delivery manager, said: “DVSA’s first priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

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"Our frontline staff worked alongside their police and local authority colleagues, and used their powers to take some of these dangerous vehicles and drivers off of the road.

"The vast majority of taxis checked were safe, with properly licensed drivers, which was pleasing to see."